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New Bow, or Crossbow?

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booniemon
Posts: 328 - Karma: 1,056
Right now I gotta decent Darton Apache compound with a ton of upgrades. I'm looking at either upgrading to a a Hoyt, Matthews, or something of the sort. But now there's also the possibility of getting a crossbow, because Wisconsin passed the law that allows not just people with a doctors note, or over the age of 65, but everyone to hunt with a crossbow. I was looking at maybe a TenPoint or maybe a Barnett. So help me NS, what do I get? Don't just say crossbow cuz their cool, cuz I do like practicing with a compound, and the skill required.
Dec 3 2013 2:38PM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
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Dec 3 2013 2:42PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4543 - Karma: 19,132
Go with a Hoyt. As an avid bowhunter, I will tell you that a crossbow is NOT bowhunting. Not in any way. A crossgun is a much more apt name for it. You aim it, pull the trigger, and the bolt flies. You can even put a scope on it. Bows, even modern compound bows, require practice, proper form, and a solid mental game. Crossguns have no place in the bow season, even if they are legal.

I shoot Hoyt but honestly bows from all major manufacturers these days are really good. Hoyt, Matthews, PSE, whatever works for you. If you have a decent bow that is tuned well with good accessories, why not put the money into something else like a nice Lone Wolf treestand? Remember that people have been killing deer with bows for thousands of years. The earliest Jennings compound got the job done just fine, and traditional bows continue to be elegant killing tools.
Dec 3 2013 2:56PM
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booniemon
Posts: 328 - Karma: 1,056
I agree with you, though crossbows are cool and all, but I really enjoy shooting. Im lookin at selling my Darton, and paying the difference for a nicer bow. Not that I need a new bow, or the specs don't work for me, but based on how much I've got into bow hunting, I want something better. What kind of Hoyt setup do you got?
Dec 3 2013 3:13PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4543 - Karma: 19,132
My Hoyt was bought new a fair number of years ago. I see no need to upgrade as it performs as well now as when I bought it. Just make sure to wax the string, replace the tubing on the peep sight, etc. I'm shooting a standard setup - stabilizer, release, 3-pin sight, etc. I used to be really into shooting and practiced every day but that, along with hunting, have been largely replaced by other interests recently. I do hope to start shooting more and hunt next season.
Dec 3 2013 3:17PM
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40oz.
Posts: 1758 - Karma: 555
I have a tenpoint, I'm not going to start arguing if people think crossbows are real bow hunting or not. I myself would much rather hunt with a crossbow than a gun because they are fun as hell to shoot and doesn't take as much skill as a compound.
Dec 3 2013 3:20PM
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booniemon
Posts: 328 - Karma: 1,056
this is the one I have now, I'm lookin to get this

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Dec 3 2013 3:58PM
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HungryHypocrite
Posts: 765 - Karma: 939
agree with iflip, seriously, if youre gonna hunt with a crossbow, just get a gun.

real bows take so much more skill and practise, a way better achievement in the end.
Dec 3 2013 4:33PM
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HungryHypocrite
Posts: 765 - Karma: 939
agree with iflip, seriously, if youre gonna hunt with a crossbow, just get a gun.

real bows take so much more skill and practise, a way better achievement in the end.
Dec 3 2013 4:33PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
Dont get a crossbow, I would just get some sort of twin cam from one of the listed manufactures.
Dec 3 2013 4:49PM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,729
When I was deciding over a bow for hunting I ended up getting a Samick recurve. If I'm using a bow to hunt it's because I want the full experience of traditional bow hunting. Otherwise I'd just use one of my guns. So far I can't complain at all. While I've never used a compound or crossbow to hunt, I just couldn't imagine the feeling being quite the same. Plus I decided if I was to get really good with a bow it would be with a traditional bow of some sort. Now a compound would come super easy if I ever decide to get one. Maybe consider a traditional bow?
Dec 3 2013 5:26PM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,729
although I've only hunted small game (with terrible luck with the bow, but always a great time), so my opinion might change once I take my bow out deer hunting.
Dec 3 2013 5:28PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142

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Dec 3 2013 5:44PM
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gotti
Posts: 4269 - Karma: 4,550
crossbow because

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Dec 3 2013 5:56PM
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booniemon
Posts: 328 - Karma: 1,056
compound because

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Dec 3 2013 6:08PM
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Bachto
Posts: 400 - Karma: 954
I agree with the fact that hoyts are good bows but I went from a hoyt (model is escaping me at the moment) to a Bowtech Guardian and I felt a HUGE difference in how much more smooth my Bowtech was. I will probably never sell this bow since I love it so much.

But to each his own. Just do your research and find what is the best for your price range but you really can't go wrong with any of the bows listed so far. And please do not get a crossbow that doesn't even count as a bow.
Dec 3 2013 6:54PM
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clive_bixby
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 499
Find a price range and go shoot them. They are like rifles, if you stay with the big manufacturers you really won't find a "bad" bow necessarily. 2 weeks of muzzleloader here though just started. If it's brown it's down!
Dec 3 2013 7:12PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
Then why not do the traditional gun hunt and use a musket?
Dec 3 2013 7:21PM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,729
because I was looking for traditional bow hunting, not gun hunting.
Dec 3 2013 7:30PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
Fair enough. Hows hunting with that thing? Must be crazy holding that draw for so long
Dec 3 2013 7:31PM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,729
It's only 45 lbs pull so not that bad. I've never had to keep it drawn for too long small game hunting though
Dec 3 2013 7:53PM
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tightlines
Posts: 62 - Karma: 208
If you want to actually archery hunt don't get a crossbow. The way I look at it is if you can physically draw a bow then you better use a how to hunt. If you can't then get a crossbow, but you probably can so get a bow. I am a pretty avid hunter and right now I have a Parker, but next year I'm going to look at a Hoyt. Don't get a crossbow.
Dec 3 2013 10:29PM
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booniemon
Posts: 328 - Karma: 1,056
Does anyone have experience with shooting one of the new Matthews or Hoyts or anything of the sort?
Dec 4 2013 11:02PM
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coling
Posts: 1086 - Karma: -3
Fuck that dude if i ever hunt im gonna go with a barret 50 cal or an ak47
Dec 4 2013 11:07PM
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.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
Let us know when you have gotten experience with hunting/guns besides Call of Duty.
Dec 4 2013 11:13PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
Get a longbow! I tried shooting compounds for awhile and while yes it takes skill, I felt like I should just be shooting a gun. Picked up a good longbow and it's the most satisfying thing to shoot, especially when you can consistantly shoot accurately
Dec 4 2013 11:24PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,364
Youre a noob but i actually do hunt with my ak. Well, hunt isnt the right word, its more like kill and leave dead on bumfuck desert roads. Im really good at it. Bunnies go bye bye
Dec 4 2013 11:35PM
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40oz.
Posts: 1758 - Karma: 555
You don't eat your bunnies :(
Dec 4 2013 11:55PM
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powderdrunkie
Posts: 2034 - Karma: 976
Crossbows are so much fun. I got a barnett and I dont even hunt. But I play with it all the time. Might hunt in the future but its free to shoot and is like 320 fps
Dec 5 2013 12:29AM
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DR.SHRED
Posts: 2134 - Karma: 503
recurve or op is a pussy
Dec 5 2013 12:55AM
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coling
Posts: 1086 - Karma: -3
You called me out proper
Dec 5 2013 2:07AM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,364
I eat cotton tails...the other ones just get left there. Its fun, i dont care if its fucked up or not. Those things are rats
Dec 5 2013 9:26AM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
Yup, they're rodents that happen to look cute. My parents have a shot ton of them burrowing under their house fucking shit up. Every time I visit I bring my bow or guns and go to town.
Dec 5 2013 10:10AM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,729
You're a piece of shit for just shooting for the kill and leaving them there. Fur and meat wasted. People like you give a bad name to hunters.

Plus there are probably laws in your state about wasting meat.

Either way. You're a piece of shit.
Dec 5 2013 11:44AM
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spstevens
Posts: 123 - Karma: 105
I prefer a compound bow for hunting if I'm not using my 3006 but crossbows are really fun to just mess around with
Dec 5 2013 11:51AM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,364
I also kill garbage fish and dont eat em.
Dec 5 2013 11:56AM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,729
If it's a fish like Asian carp, I'm OK with that.
Dec 5 2013 11:58AM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,364

Its still meat though. The bunnies i leave are garbage. The more of them i kill the better the weaker, but tastier, will be
Dec 5 2013 12:03PM
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RimJobber
Posts: 3313 - Karma: 10,058
Longbow because
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Dec 5 2013 12:05PM
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Phooka
Posts: 99 - Karma: 843
Since your probably a bitch, I would recommend a crossbow. Geoffrey uses one, and you two are probably very similar.
Dec 5 2013 12:07PM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,729
There's a difference when you're killing animals that are invasive and destroying an ecosystem vs animals that play a very important role in the ecosystem.
Dec 5 2013 12:09PM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,729
that's a recurve
Dec 5 2013 12:09PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
What pound recurve are you using?? I have like a 40# I think. I doubt I'd ever use it to deer hunt but I have also thought about taking it bird or small game hunting. Also what are you using for tips?? Blunts? Field points?? Something new and crazy I've never heard of??



To OP, I'd agree with what most others are saying. Buy a new Bow. I'd never get into crossbows myself. Just wouldn't feel like archery.
Dec 5 2013 12:10PM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,729
it's 45 pounds. pretty minimal for deer, but still doable. Legally you need minimum 40 for deer here. I'd say pretty perfect for small game.

I use a Judo point for game. Would definitely recommend them. They make finding an arrow a million times easier than using a field point and do give a bit more room for error on something like a grouse. If you graze one with a field point it's flying away and long gone. If you graze one with a judo point you might still be successful. Although I've been told grouse can sometimes fly away with an arrow still stuck in them. Dunno if I believe that though.
Dec 5 2013 12:20PM
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ABalls
Posts: 2091 - Karma: 3,754
I haven't seen a thread worthy post out of you yet
Dec 5 2013 12:59PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
huh never seen a judo point, looked it up and they are quite interesting.

https://caprasoutdoors.com/archery/archery-arrows-accessories/archery-smallgamearrowheads/g5-small-game-head-3-pack.html

these also look pretty interesting.

I might have to pick up a few small game tips and try it next year.

I could totally see a grouse flying off with an arrow in it. It's our state bird here in PA and they are a pretty burly little animal that's for sure. I've heard stories of them taking a poor shotgun shot and just leaving the scene, feathers flying and all.

thanks for the answer man. What state you hunting anyway?
Dec 5 2013 1:04PM
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.frenchy
Posts: 18221 - Karma: 12,321
Un-related but they just made hunting with a crossbow legal in CT so I may get one and try it out
Dec 5 2013 1:24PM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,729
Those tips look pretty good. More lethal than the judo's and don't look too easy to get buried under grass either. Maybe I'll pick some up.

I'm in eastern Ontario. Unfortunately in an area where I couldn't justify taking out any other small game than grouse or rabbit/hare. Deer are plentiful though.
Dec 5 2013 1:28PM
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booniemon
Posts: 328 - Karma: 1,056
Recurve or longbow would be fun, but nahh, and crossbow is outta the question
Dec 5 2013 1:58PM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
Click for larger imageKtm makes a pretty dope crossbow. Just chase deer and run them over.
Dec 5 2013 2:19PM
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powderdrunkie
Posts: 2034 - Karma: 976
Legal in wa too
Dec 5 2013 2:31PM
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